O'Sullivan seals Reserves win

Rovers' Reserves signed off their pre-season preparations with a victory after a 1-0 win over Warrington Town on Tuesday evening.

The only goal the game came when John O'Sullivan converted a 38th minute penalty after the midfielder had been upended in the area following a clumsy challenge.

Rovers had the better of the game throughout but try as they might they only had O'Sullivan's spot-kick to show for their dominance.

Gary Bowyer's side set the tone from the off, forward Osayamen Osawe wasteful in front of goal on five minutes after good work by Micah Evans.

Then Osawe then turned provider after a forceful run down the flank, but Jamie Maclaren's effort deflected narrowly past the post.

Seven minutes before half time Rovers broke the deadlock. O'Sullivan tricked his way into the area and as a the defender challenged he brought the Irishman crashing to the turf for a straightforward penalty decision.

O'Sullivan took the honours, sending the Warrington goalkeeper the wrong way with a cooly taken spot kick.

Warrington started the second half the stronger of the two sides but couldn't take the chances that fell their way.

Eventually Rovers regained their stranglehold on the game, their fine passing football deserving of a goal on more than one occasion, but that final ball and shot was often just lacking.

Osawe saw a shot saved after Maclaren had turned his marker, whilst half-time substitute Darragh Lenihan dragged an effort just past the post from a free-kick routine.

Bradley Mason replaced Jamie Maclaren with 14 minutes to go and he very nearly got on the scoresheet himself. The midfielder tricked his way past two defenders but his fiercely struck shot went just the wrong side of the upright.

The final chance of the night fell to goalscorer O'Sullivan, but as he cut in from the left onto his right foot he sent his shot inches over the corner of post and bar.

Gary Bowyer will have been pleased with his sides final workout as an organised Warrington Town side proved to be tough opponents to crack.

The Reserves start their Barclays under 21 Premier League campaign next Monday evening away at Norwich City.